Mechanicville Democrats name candidates for mayor, public safety and public works

MECHANICVILLE -- The Mechanicville Democratic party has decided on their fall elections' slate which will include a former financial commissioner for mayor.

Jim Peluso has been tapped to run for mayor of the small city. No stranger to city hall, he served as the finance head more than three decades ago, according to Sue Peluso, his wife and the Mechanicville Democratic chair.

"He has a lot of experience," she said of the current Civil Service chair for the city. In that capacity, he assists civil service employees in Mechanicville. He is also retired from the state government.

Along with Peluso, the Democrats are also running Jodie Gilhemy for the finance commissioner position and incumbents Tim Hipwell and Dave Higgins for the public safety and public works departments, respectively.

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"I'm very excited," she said. "We have a well-qualified slate."

A meeting was held with the candidates on Monday and an official announcement is expected later this week, she noted.

The Republican party announced Dennis Baker as their mayoral candidate in April. A 20-year veteran with the city police, he also retired after 20 years at Hannaford.

Mayor Anthony Sylvester, the current mayor, has served for two terms. A referendum to eliminate term limits was voted down last fall.

"Jim is an old friend," Sylvester said. "He knows his way around city hall."